Sodium-calcium interactions in two wheat species differing in salinity tolerance

White spruce Picea glauca (Moench) Voss.] seedlings were used to study the changes in cell wall composition and elasticity in mature needles before and after the resumption of growth following winter dormancy. Dormant seedlings showed high cell wall elasticity that decreased after the resumption of shoot growth. Cell wall hemicellulose content increased 3 days after planting and decreased after the buds flushed. Non-cellulosic glucose and arabinose were the sugars showing the most pronounced changes related to shoot growth. Arabinose was the most abundant sugar residue in the pectin and hemicellulose fractions and it decreased until day 10 after planting. At the same time, the levels of glucose in pectin and hemicellulose increased. The results provide evidence for cell wall carbohydrate turnover in dormant and active seedlings before and after bud flushing.